The Nature of Secrets

Webb’s engrossing sequel to 2022’s The Last Lie Told finds former ADA Finley O’Sullivan, who’s still recovering from the shock of her husband’s murder a year earlier, working as an investigator for her friend and mentor, attorney Jack Finnegan. Their newest client, Ellen Winthrop, the head of a financial consulting firm in Nashville, Tenn., is accused of killing her new and much younger husband, Jarrod Grady, in their home with a titanium hammer, a gift to Ellen from a friend to mark her breaking into the Fortune 500. Ellen admits she recently discovered that Jarrod had been taking large sums of money out of three of her savings accounts to which he had access, making her the prime suspect. Finley has a hard job proving Ellen’s innocence as the five senior members of Ellen’s staff, who have secrets to hide, do their best to thwart her investigation. Meanwhile, Finley tries to uncover the truth behind her own husband’s murder. Readers will root for the fully realized lead characters, despite their flaws, as the complex plot builds to a satisfying climax. Webb should win new fans with this entry. Agent: Stephanie Rostan, LGR Literary. (Mar.)